VISCERAL VISUALS: Minimalist exhibit shines bright with talent

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is currently showcasing several pieces downtown from its permanent collection, which is focused on minimalist art in an exhibition titled “Primary Forms.” The focus of this exhibition is neat and obvious — minimalist sculptural pieces. So, because of the nature of minimalism, visitors may feel there is not much to see and if an explanation is needed, it’s probably not worth it. But for those who may be desiring some respite from their daily visual saturation in pop culture or life in a bustling, technologically thriving San Diego, this exhibition could very well serve as an enclosed retreat that will treat some visitors to its focus on simplicity of form.

The most thrilling piece might be a white wall that breathes through machinery within the wall that receives servicing through an unobservable vent. Otherwise visitors will experience neon lights inter-playing with glass or metal, a big piece of felt on the wall and other industrial materials, such as a long cylinder of metal with perfect cylinders punched through, laid across the room like a fallen tree trunk.

Through careful observation, viewers may not have to do any work at all to decide what the core of each piece is, as there is sheer value in the stripping down of visual experience to access the power of subtlety. Take note that if the goal is to escape from society, it might be more refreshing to go on a hike. As the focus of this exhibition bears several works with neon lights and basic shapes, it may overwhelm one’s senses contrary to visual information that is absorbed daily. The viewer may not be accustomed to tuning in to such simplicity but it might just have an unexpected, overwhelming effect, unlike the calming effect of leaving society behind and venturing into the wild.

The exhibition goes until the end of the year at MCASD downtown, located at  1001 Kettner Blvd. For visitor information, view the museum’s Web site at www.mcasd.org.

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